I'm a little frustrated with this new model im doing. I need to apply bones to a hand for this robot im doing but have absolutely no clue what to do for a hand.

heres some pics of what im doing:

the robot:
http://x1d.xanga.com/11bd10154313578839328/b53534342.jpg

the hand:
http://xd0.xanga.com/660a9a1478d3278839090/b53534182.jpg

by the way I would love any suggestions or construtive critiscism about my model. thanks =D

I think that's a fine model to begin rigging with since it's all in segments and you won't have to worry about stretching skin or things like that.

are you using one of the riggs that's already around like Am2001 or Squetch?

If, instead, you're making your own from scratch I'd say save that for when you know more about rigging. Use one of the already developed systems for your first time out.

I tried using the "2001 skeleton" but twisted up my model really badly. Is it okay to cut off parts of a skeleton i dont need? like if i wanted to cut off the hand bone for his right hand because he has a gun/attachment there?

AM2001 really works fine when it's installed right, so that means... you didn't do something right.

Do the Am2001 characters on the CD twist all up when you animate them?

yes, although you'd have to make sure you didn't delete something the rest of the arm needed, like an IK target.

ya the first time I tried it the model got all twisted up.

Anywho I tried it again a little while ago and I got the arms working but the legs got really messed up which caused the model to seerate so I didn't try anything else.

edit: So I just got the bones into my model and it looks decent enough to me but I'd like the advice of someone more expierenced. If someone will post their email or some alternate form of me giving you the project that would be great.

If you could post a screencap of what's going wrong, that would help us.